By Francine Pamplona
As summer ends and students ease into the new school year, it can be easy to fall into the stress and struggles that come with the beginning of the semester, say counselors at the Personal Growth and Counseling Center (PGCC) at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB).
While worries over academics are expected, it is important for CSUMB administrators and staff to ensure that their students are supported through it all.
“We are a confidential resource and look forward to hearing about your experiences and what you’d like to address. We work collaboratively to find coping tools to decrease your stress and enhance your experience at CSUMB,” said Jessica Lopez, counselor faculty and outreach lead at the PGCC.
“Returning to school can be stressful and full of new experiences. Some students are new to campus, living away from home for the first time, making new friends, trying new things – it can be a lot, in addition to getting used to their class schedules and course demands,” explained Lopez.
This stress is something that many students, like Hariett Macaraig, know all too well. “Students would benefit from private counseling [on campus], especially because [counseling is] so expensive and may not be accessible to everyone,” said Macaraig, a third-year student.
Aware of their students’ struggles, CSUMB created the PGCC in 1996 to help combat these issues. This center strives to offer attentive care and provide services that promote the healthy development of every one of CSUMB’s students at no extra cost.
Enrolled students can call the PGCC office at (831) 582-3969 any weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to set up an appointment. If it’s your first time, the center also offers walk-in hours on Mondays to Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Building 80.
The PGCC offers a variety of services including personal or community-based. If you are looking for more one-on-one guidance with a licensed counselor, individual private counseling is offered. On the other hand, if group settings are more comfortable, the PGCC’s group therapy and workshops are where support and new perspectives from others in your community can be found. Students can get the support they need right on campus.
In the need of any immediate help and action, students can find a list of a variety of 24/7 crisis intervention lines here. Upon exploring CSUMB’s page for the PGCC, users may find more detailed explanations of the services offered and clear directions if there are any further questions.
To any students who may feel overwhelmed with the emotions that coming back to school may bring, the counselors want you to know you are also coming back to a support system by your side.
“Although trying something new can be difficult, the counselors at the PGCC have many years of experience working with college students and are there to support you,” Lopez said. “It can be tough to get started, but we often hear from students that they wish they would have come in sooner, so please don’t wait and give yourself permission to come chat with us.”